Thursday, January 20, 2011

Last January 11, 2011, I have witnessed the exchange of vows between Ma. Luisa Lasquite-a friend/colleague/running buddy and Rizaldy Cardinez in a small Church in Project 7. They were very “hands-on” during the wedding preparation, everything was DIY and they were very practical when it comes to purchasing.

They chose the colors red, white and black as their wedding motifs and go for the vintage rock theme. Every small details of the wedding were planned by the couple. It was not your ordinary wedding.

Prenup Photos

The prenup photos were taken at the Heritage Village in Vigan, Ilocos Sur—their hometown and in Brave New World—a vintage shop in Cubao Expo. I was with them when they have their prenup photoshoot in Cubao Expo. The owner of the store, Sir Ron (who looks like he just stepped out from a 70’s rock band) was very accommodating. His store is located at the 2nd floor in the right lane of Cubao expo’s rows of shops. The halls leading to the staircase of the shop are painted with graffiti art. Once you get upstairs, the first thing you will notice are the vintage guitars lining up the wall. Mind you, they are a bit pricey (from Php 70,000 up to 7,000—dollars). But to those who LOVE to collect, it’s not that much. Racks of ultra hip, vintage clothes that look like they were straight from your dad’s /mom’s closet are lined up in both sides of the store. It’s like you were being transported back to the 60’s and 70’s. A blast from the past indeed! There were handfuls of old shades in one table, an Holga lomographic camera in one of the dresser (being sold at Php 2,500—a great steal!), old hats, shoes, bags and suitcases are randomly displayed in the store--all of these can be used by the couple for their shoot. How cool is that? The owner also has an old, red Volkswagen beetle car that was used for the prenup shoot. Surely, the couple had much fun trying on different vintage outfits.

Wedding Prep

The wedding gown was vintage inspired, tiered white gown with lace and beadworks.The groom settled for a black suit.

The bridal bouquet is composed of red roses that we ordered from Dangwa. Again, there was a DIY touch on the bouquet. The bride made this fancy floral design made from different sizes of red, black and white buttons that were placed in layers and attached into a wire. The finished product looks like fancy flowers and were then placed in-between the red roses. Look below for the image.

The groom, ninongs and ninangs wore a boutonniere that the bride also made herself. It is actually made up of different sizes of red, black and white buttons (just like the ones in the bouquet), silk flowers and feathers. It was so artistically made that I had fallen in love with it the first time I see it.

The coin and arras pillows were also in red, black and white design. It has also a touch of DIY from the bride.

The Wedding Vow

The wedding rites was held in Sto. Cristo de Bungad Parish. The ceremony was very solemn with only a handful of close friends, relatives and colleagues were invited. There were no bridesmaid and groomsmen in the entourage as requested by the couple, only Godparents and Secondary sponsors. Parents were requested to bring their kids (of course, the children were all dressed up for the occasion too!) and were ask to blow bubbles and blow on their pinwheels during the bride’s wedding procession. The exchange of vows was personally made by the couple and you can see many guests were teary eyed (if they were not yet crying). Even I myself was moved into tears! I wonder if I could ask for a copy of their vows... =)

Baby's breath lined up the aisle- as requested by the bride

The Reception

The venue of their wedding reception was at Max's Restaurant in Scout Tuazon. The couple and I were at the wedding reception the night before the wedding (the bride's such an OC! hehe). She wants to oversee every small, single detail of the wedding preparation—things such as what table cloth will be used, what color of drapes should be placed, where to put the lanterns, dessert table, projector, chocolate fondue and the list goes on and on and on...whew! =)

moi, posing with the couple. one side of the banquet hall was lined up with the couple's prenup pics and the guest's well wishes.

But things went smoothly the way she wants it to be except for minor, unavoidable boo boos (nothing’s perfect anyway). Every single guest truly enjoyed the event (especially the photobooth! ehem...) and most especially, the couple were satisfied and were happy with how things turned.

totally rock with their chucks! =)

To the couple:

I thank you for making me a part of your special day. I admire your love for one another and how both of you was committed in making your wedding day a complete success. As you embark on your wonderful adventure together as husband and wife, may you continue to grow in love and as individuals. And may this day just be the start of how big your love can grow. I wish you the best that life and marriage has to offer as you continue your journey...

'May your love be modern enough to survive the times and old-fashioned enough to last forever.'

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

I was surprised when I received via mail a finisher’s certificate, one photovendo pic and a baller ID from the concluded RunRio Trilogy Leg 3: Unilab Run United 2 held last November 20-21, 2010 wherein I participated in the 15k category. I have to check out again in the RunRio website if it is included in the race feature and it wasn’t. I want to thank Unilab Active Health and RunRio Inc. for going the extra mile to make their runners happy!—the more reason that thousands of runners will participate Unilab Active Health and RunRio races this year and the coming years! =)

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

As a part of the Healthcare team, this is one running event that is a must in my list. The Pink Run was an advocacy run that was organized by the Philippine Society of General Surgeons Metro Manila Chapter. It was held at McKinley Hills grounds, Taguig City last October 17, 2010. The run aims to raise funds and awareness against breast cancer—the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in our country. There were also a lot of guys who joined the race (one of them is my brother Czar Christian who is a member of the RN : Running Nurses by the way) and they were not afraid to use the pink, grey and white singlet. A lot of guy runners actually liked the singlet and even my brother commented that it was the nicest singlet he ever worn so far. I actually liked their tag line:

“You don’t have to run alone. Bring a friend, a loved one or run with us and meet new friends.” Yes, I was not running alone. I have my brother in tow and friends who share the same passion in running with me. =)

Adidas KOTR was my (and my brother’s) first 10 kilometer run. I was really, really excited but at the same time having some trepidation on running 10k. But luckily, I survived! At 1 hour, 6 minutes and 64 seconds, I was lining up on the finish line getting excited to grab my free breakfast. I was feeling a little bit woozy, a product of not carbo-loading properly and fatigue. Good thing though, box and box of bananas were being given. I have to grabbed and eat one fast. This was my 3rd from the last running event for the year (maybe 3rd from last for the meantime) and for a moment right there, I felt I was the King (or maybe the Queen!) of the Road.

Bought and trained for a month on my new Adidas response stability running shoes

After surviving Adidas KOTR 10k run, my brother and I decided to take up our running mileage one notch higher. This time, we ran 15 kilometers on the Unilab Run United 2—the 3rd leg on the RunRio trilogy. We incorporated Jeff Galloway’s run-walk-run method in our run and it’s pretty quite effective. As usual, we were not disappointed with RunRio, Inc. There were enough first aid station, water station, marshalls, and pep squad to assist and cheer you while running. Free services such as detailed runpix analysis and photovendo were also provided to capture our running moments. There were also a good enough freebies and even a finisher's shirt provided by Unilab.

This was my last run for 2010—the QCIM 2 held last December 5. I can’t believe I conquered running 21 kilometers! And it was my first Half Mary! Or was it an ultrapikermi?--the race route was more than 23 kilometres. The starting (and finish) line was at Philcoa, and then runners proceeded inside the UP oval before running towards the stretch of Commonwealth Avenue. There were enough water stations deployed along the race route. There was even a shower provided along the route which I’ve taken advantage of. All in all, it was a new and exciting experience for me: It was my first time to participate in a running event here in Quezon City; it was my debut as a half marathoner, and the first time that I thought the pain in my calves will kill me. Hahaha!

I am so proud of finishing my first (ultra)pikermi! holding my medal with much pride!

I ran fast when I saw my running buddies cheering me near the finish line but I wanted to cry and give up on the last 2 kms (inside UP oval) and was beginning to sing "Chasing Pavements"by Adele in my head. =)

Friday, January 7, 2011

This was held at SM Mall of Asia. A well organized running event by RunRio, Inc. We arrived at 5:30 am. The gun start was at 5:45 am. There was no time for us to have our warm-ups but we enjoyed the run even if we were all sweaty, huffy and puffy from running. During this time, as we were watching the 10k and 21k finishers, the idea of putting up a fanpage in facebook for Nurses (nursing students, registered nurses or not) who are running enthusiast was conceptualized. The term: Running Nurses was coined by Maria Luisa Lasquite (my fellow pediatric nurse in SLMC) in which the initials of the 2 words were the same with the acronym of Registered Nurse—RN thus, our fanpage RN : Running Nurses was conceived. This was also the time I was contemplating on “taking it up a notch” on my running category. I was running for some time and been practicing a lot but I was a bit hesitant to join 10k runs, afraid that I wouldn’t be able to make it.

This was a running event organized by the St. Luke’s Medical Center-Institute of Urology held just near the hospital. The route of the race was on the Scout areas with uphill and downhill routes. It was just a fun run but complete with elites. Yes, the Kenyans were there. =)

Another running event by St. Luke’s Medical Center but this time, it was organized by the Institute of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine of SLMC for the benefit of the social service patients. It was held at St. Luke’s Medical Center, Global City. There were only 2 categories for the race, 3.5 and 9 kms. We choose to just run on the 3.5k since the race route is only near the SLMC-GC grounds. But still, we had so much fun! It’s nice to know that there are lots of running enthusiasts from different department within St. Luke’s who come together and supported the event. =)

September 26
Tour de Trail 2010-Singapore Mini Marathon (3k)

This was my first run outside the country and my first ever trail run! We were in Singapore for 1 week for a vacation and staying at my sister’s. I was feeling sad that I wasn’t able to join the Camarines Sur International Marathon-- this should have been my first run outside the metro and my first run in my hometown, Camarines Sur. Out on a whim, I asked my sister if there would be an upcoming running event in Singapore on the duration of our stay. Luckily, we came across this Tour de Trail Mini Marathon happening on the same date as the Camarines Sur International Marathon. The next thing I know, we were signing up for the run! We just chose to register for the 3 km fun run because:

• It wasn’t on our budget
• I still didn’t think I could make the 10k category
• It was a trail run
• It is a prelude for Czarina Joy’s birthday celebration (we have other things to do in mind for the whole day).

It was a different kind of experience for us. The route was inside MacRitchie Reservoir in Upper Thompson Road. We visited the race venue a day before the race to claim our race kit then stayed for a little while to relax and take pictures in the park. We were surprised to find out that there were lots of monkeys roaming around the park and a few were actually trying to grab the content of our race kits. =)

sneaky sneaky!

a monkey trying to grab the loot bag from my mom! =)

It feels like it was the longest 3 km run that I have experienced.The fun run started at 9 am. The gun start was inside the park then we proceeded to run on Lornie road before entering the trail inside the reservoir. Before entering the trail, a marshall was shouting instructions on us then we were on our own. It was kind of creepy since the only thing that you can hear is the humming of cicadas and God knows what other insects. There was only minimal of sunlight penetrating through the canopy and the ground started to feel soft and muddy. By then, the fast runners were already out of sight and the slower ones were already behind. There were only 2 of us running with the same pace--a white girl in her teens too shy to make conversation with me. We sort of, finish the race at the same time. =)

This is a one-of-a-kind running experience for us and for all those who joined it. There were 3 starting points on the race converging to 1 finish line—SM Mall of Asia. Those who were joining the 3k run were to start at the SM-MOA, 5k on the CCP complex and 10k in Makati. The fun run aims to restore the Pasig River back to its clean state and also aims to be a part of the Guinness World records as a foot race with the most number of runners. And YES! we did it! Click this link here and type: Most Participants in a Racing Event in the search box. It broke the former world record of San Francisco's "Bay to Breakers" race of 1986 with a total of 110,000 participants. The official count was: 116,086 runners finished the race among the 160,000 who registered for the Run for Ilog Pasig.Filipinos from all walks of life went out of their way to make this event a success. Finisher’s band was given to all those who finished the race.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

A charity fun run by Globe and Ayala land aiming to raise funds for the benefit of Habitat for Humanity. This was the first running event that I joined. My sister, Czarina Joy Bongon, was one of the people who introduced me to running and registered me to my first running event—the Globe Run for Home 2010. That time, I don’t have proper running shoes yet. I used my old, reliable trainers during the run and thank God, I made it!

This was my 2nd run. A run for a cause that aims to benefit Greenpeace, an international organization dedicated in protecting and conserving the environment. There were about 7,000 runners that signed up for the run, 4,000 of which were in the 5K category that I was in. But this time, I am much prepared. I trained for alternate days in amoranto stadium, running at least 3 kms at a time. Also, I was able to purchase my first running shoes: a Nike Dart 7. I know it wasn’t the best running shoes that time, but it was all that I can afford and better than my old trainers. =)

This was a fun run organized by the Pediatric Alumni Association (PAA) of St. Luke’s Medical Center held at Venice Piazza, McKinley Hill, Taguig. The race aims to promote the advocacy of PAA in promoting the welfare of the children in the community. And since I am a pediatric nurse in SLMC, I together with my colleagues at work joined the said event without hesitation. This was my first race to have an uphill and downhill route and boy, was I exhausted! After that event, I practiced running in the uphill and downhill parts around the scout areas near our home.

This was the coolest running event I joined! Literally and figuratively. I was with my brother Boks and my colleague, Lui during that time and we all joined the 5 km category. Rock and Run was organized by JCI Manila for the benefit of Republikha--an NGO dedicated to producing educational children's music. This should have been the first Run and Rock concert-for-a-cause if not for the heavy downpour that started right before the start of the race. Rock bands were to perform before the start of the race and 3 concert stages were set up strategically along the race course but have been canceled due to the issue of safety. But amidst the heavy rain, most of the runners were still waiting enthusiastically for the gun start and upon seeing it, we eventually followed suit. We were all chanting “RUN! RUN! RUN!” in the rain as we waited for the gun start. Some were dancing and some were still in their rock costume (there was a special prize for the best rock costume!). I remember this one runner beside me in a KISS costume complete with a replica of KISS’ guitar told me that he was relieved he used water-proof makeup because if he didn’t, his makeup would have been washed up by the rain by then.

Running in the rain was surely a one of a kind experience I will never forget. For me, I ROCKED running in the rain!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

I was rummaging on my old stuff last night (a constant thing I do these past few days) when I came across this small, brown box. Written on its cover is: “Beauty in a Box”- Easy & natural ways to shine using homemade remedies! And by the looks of it, it was brought in Papemelroti—a famous specialty shop for gifts and decorative accessories. Though I cannot see the Papemelroti trademark on the box and on any of the pages of paper inside the pack, I am a hundred percent sure that it was and true enough, when I searched for it online, it was one of the products being sold by Papemelroti. This box doesn’t belong to me. I cannot remember of buying this one, I’m sure of it. Maybe this was a gift to my sister she totally forget about. I’ll ask her later...

I am going to pose some beauty remedies here that I like the most among the 47. I will try doing them this week and tell you guys if it is effective (which I’m sure it is). And I hope you go and try them too! =)

FACIAL SCRUB:

For Oily Skin: Mix 1 tsp. skim milk powder with 1 tsp. honey. Add a few drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice if your skin is very oily. Use that as a mild scrub on your face. The undissolved milk powder forms a gentle scrub. Rinse very well.

For Normal, Dry or Mature skin: Mix 1 tsp. full cream or whole milk powder with 1 tsp. honey. Use as a mild scrub on your face. Rinse very well.
You should use lots of water to rinse so as to prevent bacterial residue.

MOISTURIZER MASK:

Mix 2 tablespoons of honey with 2 tablespoons milk. Smooth them over your face and throat. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse with warm water.

REMEDIES FOR TIRED EYES:

Rose water-Soak cotton ball and apply to eyes once a week.

Cucumber- Place a slice on each eye for and leave for 10 minutes to relieve stressed eyes.

Potato (shredded) - Put on top of eyes to reduce black circles and leave for 10 minutes.

Monday, January 3, 2011

March of last year when I and my friend Lala decided to celebrate my birthday away from home. Being the adventurous “soul sisters” that we are, and because I was still dwelling on my heartache (again! ugh!) we travel up north to Ilocos Sur for my “Birthday Getaway”. It’s actually my second time to be in Ilocos. My first being last 2008 with my sister in tow and yes, my good friend Lala. Still, I am captivated by the beauty of this province.It’s a good thing to travel with only one buddy with you especially when you both wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. You get to bond with each other, de-stress, relax and reflect on what is happening with each other’s life.

Anyhow, let me share with you the places I’ve been to in Ilocos Sur...

Ursa Major resort

Ursa Major's pool

enjoying the clear water while basking under the sun

Our first stop was of course, the beach. We enjoyed walking on the seaside (I forgot the name of the barrio, pardon me) and take pictures—lots and lots of ‘em! From there, we went to a resort named Ursa Major in Barrio Apatot, a 1 and a half kilometre ride from the main road of San Esteban. You only have to pay Php 100.00 as entrance fee. We basked under the warm rays of the sun and enjoyed the clear water as we swim.

Adorable ostrich with her winning smile =)

Tiburin

Bengal Tiger on my right

What's a dinosaur doing here?!

Our 2nd stop was Chavit Singson’s Baluarte Zoo, a 10 minute ride away from Vigan City. It is a wildlife sanctuary with a view of scenic boulders, rolling terrains and grassy hills. We enjoyed riding the tiburin, a small horse-drawn carriage, we took photos of the different species of birds and butterflies in the butterfly garden, watched the camels, group of deers and goats, interact with a civet cat, posed with the friendly ostrich and the not-so-friendly Bengal tigers. I remember Lala was taking a picture of me beside a caged Bengal tiger when suddenly the tiger jumped and was about to pounce at me. If it were not for the cage, I would be dead meat! Hahaha! Next time, be sure to remove the flash of your camera before taking pictures.

Heritage Village at night... lovely

Our 3rd stop was the Heritage Village in Vigan. There are horse-drawn Calesa you can ride while having a tour around the Heritage Village and the nearby landmarks or you could just walk around. The Heritage Village is such a sight especially during the evening. The glow of the street light lining up Calle Crisologo (Cobblestone Street lined with museums, souvenir shops, inns and Spanish-era houses) gave it a sepia effect.

mangan!

Ar-arosip- fresh seaweed it is!

Posing in front of Uno Grille

For my birthday treat, we dine at Uno Grille. It is one of the three restaurants in Grandpa’s Inn—a hotel situated at Bonifacio Street Corner Quirino Blvd near the Heriatge strip. The other two was Kusina Felicitas and Uno Cafe. We dine on authentic Ilocano dishes including Ar-arosip- grape seaweed made into a salad, Sinanglao- Vigan version of beef sinigang and Wareck wareck- grilled pork head with liver , mixed with onion and vinegar.

It was really a Birthday getaway I will never forget. And I have to thank Lala and her family in Ilocos for that- the Manuels and Arreolas.

me and my "soul sister" Laarni Joy Arreola

And of course, we ended our adventure with another skinny-dipping on the beach before heading back home. =)